for 13 years, she's been sporting it with the aim of instilling hope in ailing children.
Hell of a Day in Turin
On a seemingly regular Tuesday, May 13, a disastrous turn of events struck a group of caregivers who've tirelessly wrestled with their personal demons, battling life's most formidable struggles. Hanging out in front of the Modern Art Gallery on corso Galileo Ferraris, an unwelcomed guest decided to pay a visit to Walter Galliano's vehicle, president of Nida (National Italian Friendship Association). The intruder made off with a priceless symbol— the Captain America costume and accessories worn during charity events aimed at children battling rare diseases.
The Unfortunate Incident
Understandably distraught, Walter shares his side of the story. On the night of the heist, he found himself attending an association gathering at the Press Club. After parking his car, he headed to the parked vehicle to retrieve the Captain America costume and shield, only to find his trunk surprisingly void of its contents: "Idiotically, I left the car unlocked, so close. The parking ticket kiosk took some time, so I briefly returned to the vehicle, opened the trunk, and it was all gone."
A Questionable Character
In the immediate aftermath, Galliano and fellow volunteers spotted a suspicious individual trying to break into other nearby vehicles. Confronted, the individual denied any involvement and scurried off. Enter the carabinieri, reporting to the 112 emergency line, who managed to stop the perp, but, unfortunately, were unable to recover the stolen memorabilia. Clues from the Gam's cameras hint at a culprit lurking around Galliano's vehicle before the theft, yet the items remain elusive.
A Cost Beyond Money
The financial damages, estimated at over a thousand euros, represent merely a fraction of the loss. "That costume meant much more," Galliano expresses sadly. "It was the first one, the one I kicked off the superheroes and princesses in the wards project alongside the other Nida guys... It wasn't just a theft, it was stealing a symbol, the essence of a project".
The Purpose of "Superheroes and Princesses in the Wards"
Conjured in 2012, an encounter with Beatrice Naso, a young girl stricken by an exceedingly rare disease that calcifies cartilage, inspired Galliano and his comrades to embark on a noble mission—assisting children with rare diseases, who often find themselves on the wrong end of fate.
From here, a charitable initiative was born, bringing superheroes to pediatric hospitals to fill the sickest children with joy. "Unfortunately, Bea didn't make it, she passed away in 2018… The Captain America costume was one of her favorites" Galliano lamented.
The Importance of Being Present in the Hospital
"We don't really have superpowers," Galliano admits, "and often the following week we learn that that child is no longer there. But those moments of joy are, if not therapeutic, invaluable to the children, their families, and even to the medical staff, who often tell us how much we bring a sliver of happiness and lightness to the ward."
"The children share stories of having seen their favorite superhero, and doctors reach out to us, asking if they could have a little star war with their favorite superhero at the hospital**."
"Now our hope is that the thieves decide to return what has no price—the opportunity to continue being, even for a day, the hero of the most vulnerable children," Galliano says hopefully. "I truly hope someone finds these items and has the courage and decency to return them—for me, for the children, and for everyone who still believes in superheroes."
- The loss of the Captain America costume was not just a monetary loss for Walter Galliano, as he stated, "That costume meant much more."
- Galliano and his team at Nida initially started the "Superheroes and Princesses in the Wards" project in 2012, inspired by Beatrice Naso, a young girl battling a rare disease.
- The stolen costume was one of Bea's favorites, as Galliano lamented, "Unfortunately, Bea didn't make it, she passed away in 2018..."
- The charitable initiative, which brings superheroes to pediatric hospitals, fills the sickest children with joy and brings a "sliver of happiness" to the children, their families, and even the medical staff.
- Walter Galliano expressed hope that the thieves would return the stolen items, stating, "I truly hope someone finds these items and has the courage and decency to return them—for me, for the children, and for everyone who still believes in superheroes."
